Game thread: New York Knicks @ Houston Rockets 8:00 2/24/2020 [Game #57]

rady

Administrator
Staff member

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(17-39) -- (36-20)

VenueTVTIME
Toyota Center, Houston, TXMSG8:00 PM EST

Game Preview

The sample size is small, but in their first two games since the All-Star break, the Houston Rockets appear to be clicking at full force.

While posting double-digit wins over the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz, both on the road, the Rockets converted 45 of 97 3-pointers for a robust 46.4 percent from behind the arc.

Their floor spacing has been tremendous and their depth -- bolstered by the recent additions of Jeff Green and DeMarre Carroll plus the return from injury of Eric Gordon -- has overwhelmed opponents.

Houston has won seven of nine games and will seek to continue building upon that momentum Monday when it hosts the New York Knicks.

The Rockets climbed to fourth in the Western Conference with their 120-110 win over the Jazz, one game behind the third-place LA Clippers. Having pursued viability as a contender all season, Houston appears to have found it.

"If we guard at a high level like we've been doing, the sky's the limit for us," Rockets guard James Harden told reporters. "We've got to continue to get better possession by possession.

"We've got to try to put (together) a four-quarter game like that. And we're working on it."

Defensive vigor remains a sporadic attribute for the Rockets, but with the offense clicking, Houston needs only to be solid on that end of the court. The byproduct of the floor spacing resulting from playing small has fully unlocked guard Russell Westbrook for rim attacks.

Westbrook is averaging 34.2 points (on 55.8 percent shooting), 7.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists since the Rockets jettisoned center Clint Capela at the trade deadline. Harden is averaging 30.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists during that same span, and Houston has put opponents in compromising positions regarding how they aim to guard the Rockets' bevy of shooters.

Utah attempted to utilize center Rudy Gobert against Westbrook. The results were unfavorable.

"Everybody's been doing it," Westbrook said of being defended by a big. "I don't know if it's working."

For the Knicks, the game against Houston will mark just their second since the return from the All-Star break. The Knicks had two practices prior to their 106-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday and had two more scheduled in advance of their meeting with the Rockets.

It is rare for teams to encounter such open expanses on the calendar, and the youthful Knicks made it an emphasis to take advantage of the opportunity to continue the process of growth and development.

The Knicks have dropped three consecutive games following a season-best four-game winning streak, and having played just three games over the previous two weeks affords them the chance to solidify their foundation with attention focused squarely on the future.

"What we have talked about is ... what we control is today," Knicks coach Mike Miller said. "Let's take care of today. Let's get better today. Everybody in the building is working to try to get better. And if we can do that and keep our energy going in that direction, they have proven that when they do that they can have success and they can help themselves."

(Field Level Media / cbssports.com)
 

mafra

Legend
Right about now.... I?m craving an MRob-KP-Zion front court. Oh well.... we were so close....
 

tiger0330

Legend
I think I'm alone in enjoying this small ball lineup of the Rockets and the way they play. Not sure if you can credit Morey for coming up with the small ball lineup or D'Antoni for telling Morey this is the way I want to play, just get me the guys that can do it. If it was D'ants, he's a genius.

CP3 is an AS and future HOF player but give me a dynamic, athletic, Russ any day over him, I just wish he could shoot the 3.

Rox are another team that has undergone extensive makeovers in the last couple of years showing you can turn around a teams fortunes in a short time and not have to wait ten years. Let's hope Rose can do it with the Knicks.
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Thanks for the Game-Thread Rady .... I hope Miller give Payton & Frank 30+ plus minute tonight, to hold tight on Harden & Westbrook scoring show. I'm hope we do a lot of picknrolls with MitchRob quickness tonight.
Miller need to watch how well the Dantoni Rockets set picks and set screens so our weakest defenders are guarding Harden & Westbrook & Gordon.
 

Kiyaman

Legend
I think I'm alone in enjoying this small ball lineup of the Rockets and the way they play. Not sure if you can credit Morey for coming up with the small ball lineup or D'Antoni for telling Morey this is the way I want to play, just get me the guys that can do it. If it was D'ants, he's a genius.

CP3 is an AS and future HOF player but give me a dynamic, athletic, Russ any day over him, I just wish he could shoot the 3.

Rox are another team that has undergone extensive makeovers in the last couple of years showing you can turn around a teams fortunes in a short time and not have to wait ten years. Let's hope Rose can do it with the Knicks.


Dantoni's small-ball system he learned from Shawn Marion, whom learned it from playing side by side from PG Jason Kidd.
Watch the shot-clock on how quick the Rockets move-around to set-up offensive play to score .. they have 14 to 10 second remaining on the shot-clock when they shoot .. the Rockets has been averaging 115 points a game .. with and without Capela.
 

tiger0330

Legend
Ntilikina out with sore groin along with Payton tonight. DSJ better make use of his 30 plus minute opportunity tonight.
 

Kiyaman

Legend
DSJ created two steals we scored on after stealing the ball from Gordon then running down court and Gordon steals it back LOL
 

jimkcchief88

All Star
Thats your guy. When he does good you talk like a proud papa, when he does bad not a word.

Gee sorry for rooting for our lottery pick to succeed. Ok lemme be like new poster of the year ?Dark Hater?: RJ sucks trade him for Micheal Porter jr. Is that better for you?!!!
 
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